Defiant Fifa president Infantino tells critics: I’ve never been more determined
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has underlined his determination to stay in power, insisting he has “never been more determined and committed”.
Infantino continues to face calls to quit over his now-aborted plan to sell stakes in Fifa’s World Cup business to private investors, including the extended family of Donald Trump.
He addressed demands for reform this week in a letter to FAs, proposing an external review of the world governing body, and expanded on those themes in Saudi Arabia last night.
“I am looking forward to receiving feedback from everyone, following my letter,” he said at the Arabian Gulf Cup in Jeddah.
“I have received positive messages about it from different parts of the world, and it is important that we keep listening to each other, here in Saudi Arabia, in any one of Fifa’s 211 member associations
“We have a council meeting next month, so we will continue to have dialogue on these important matters. There must be a culture of dialogue, of listening to each other and respecting each other.
“This is not about generating positive headlines, it is about doing what is right for the game. And I have never been more determined and committed in doing that.
“Fifa is always engaged. I am always engaged and want to hear how we can continue to grow football for the benefit of everybody, everywhere.”
Infantino warned that announcing review is not enough
Infantino was widely criticised for sidelining the Fifa Council in talks with prospective outside investors, which leaked in July just after the 2026 World Cup.
In recent days he appears to have embarked on a charm offensive in a bid to consolidate support ahead of next year’s election, where he hopes to extend his 10 years in the job.
A trip to long-time ally Saudi Arabia, which coincided with its national day, is set to be followed by further opportunities to press the flesh with VIPs.
Infantino was expected to appear at the UN general assembly in New York this week and next week’s annual summit of the influential European Football Clubs body in Copenhagen.
He has been warned, however, that his pledge to commission an external review must be backed up with action that demonstrates transparency and true accountability.
The CEO of the Sport Integrity Global Alliance, Emanuel Macedo de Medeiros, said: “The test is not whether Fifa announces a review. The test is whether the process can earn trust.”
SIGA has identified five tests for the credibility of any external review of Fifa: “independence from the outset; a sufficiently broad mandate; full access and objective standards; transparency; and a clear mechanism for action, accountability and independent follow-up”.
The Fifa Council is due to meet on 15 October. The deadline for candidates who wish to stand against Infantino to register their interest follows in November.